When your little one is on the move its great to get them some home equipment to encourage imaginative learning, which in turn will begin to play a huge part in your child’s cognitive development. In this article I will be going through the Top 5 Play Tunnels for babies and toddlers to enjoy in or out of your home setting!
What is The Best Play Tunnel?
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Play Tunnel Reviews
Hide N Side Kids Play Tunnel
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Hide N Side Kids Play Tunnel Review
I have labelled this Hide N Side Kids Play Tunnel as the best play tunnel for babies due to its reasonable price tag, a variation of colours, and ease of use!
This pop-up play tunnel is an excellent addition to the home or garden for your little one to explore when they are beginning to crawl and experience new things!
When folded away and fastened with the twist-lock style buttons, the toddler tunnel slips into a small, circular bag, making it excellent for travel use and easy to store away without taking up too much space.
Made from brightly coloured polyester with a steel internal spring to hold its shape, the Hide N Side baby tunnel is safe, secure, and lightweight.
When children begin crawling, they love to explore! So this children’s play tunnel enhances sensory processing and brings an element of fun to physical development for babies and toddlers.
Pros
- Enhances babies sensory processes
- Easy to use and pack away
- Generous in size for both young babies and toddlers
Cons
- Wire can piece polyester if not used or folded away corrected
Hide N Side 5Pc Play Tunnel Set
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Hide N Side 5Pc Play Tunnel Set Review
This Hide N Side Ball Pit Tunnel is a vibrant, sturdy, multi-coloured pop-up play tunnel. Packed with multi-functional features such as the main ball pit with tunnels and tents attached, this toddler tunnel will motivate your little one, giving him/her positive energy and true excitement.
The bright variation of colours helps improve attention and memory and stimulate vision, this helps and contributes to the development of feelings.
At a generous size of 71in long and 18in diameter, this children’s play tunnel is great to use in so many different circumstances, indoors and outdoors eg. parties, picnics, schools, sleepovers, playgrounds, or simply in the playroom. Encouraging imaginative, active, and creative play, hiding in the tunnel and turning it into anything they desire it to be!
Made from the highest quality 190T soft polyester fabric with sections of mesh, this kids tunnel is safe for babies and toddlers. With a steel wire running through the outline of the tunnels, the structure remains sturdy but flexible to fold away into the storage bag.
This play tunnel will give your child space of their own, giving them independence and obligation, and the responsibility to explore on their own.
Pros
- Comes with a carry case for easy and compact storage
- Great for babies confidence and development
- Durable for long-lasting use up to toddler age
Cons
- If the children get food on the mesh it can be tricky to clean the holes
- Ball pit balls not included
NUBUNI XL Tunnel for Kids
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NUBUNI XL Tunnel for Kids Review
To add a bright and colourful zing to your children’s play, we have the NUBUNI XL Tunnel For Kids.
This play tunnel is an excellent piece of sensory learning equipment for young children and toddlers, giving them the opportunity to learn and explore through play.
Made from breathable polyester with a transparent mesh middle, this kids play tunnel is suitable for a variety of ages due to its generous size and simplicity!
When not in use simply collapse the crawl tunnel down into a flat ring, fastening it in place with the twist locks at either size. Simply unbutton the twist locks and the play tunnel will pop up, ready to use in seconds!
With the variation of bright colours along with the mesh centre, this play tunnel for kids assists with imaginative play as well as being a form of physical activity for a variety of ages.
Pros
- Size suitable for variety of ages and sizes
- Bright colours encourage babies imaginative learning
- Ease of use and compact when stored away
Cons
- Higher price tag than other single tubes but size makes up for it
World's Apart Pop Up Play Tunnel
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World's Apart Pop Up Play Tunnel Review
For an excellent budget alternative to your more extreme play tunnels, we have the World’s Apart Pop Up Play Tunnel by Kid Active!
This baby tunnel is a sweet and simple choice at a much lower price to others. At a small size measuring 120 cm, this crawl tunnel is ideal to use in smaller spaces as a little addition to your tot’s playroom.
With velcro straps at either end the kids tunnel can be flat packed into a singular ring and fastened with the velcro, making assembly quick, easy and perfect for travel!
Included on this colourful toddler tunnel are six circular windows, these encourage fun ‘peek a boo’ play with your little one as they crawl through the tunnel of colours.
If you are looking for a cheaper play tunnel for children, I would highly recommend this Kids active product. At an excellent price but still with fun, vibrant features it’s a must-have for the playroom!
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Compact and travel friendly for use at baby picnics
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Cons
- Can be difficult to clean if any spillages due to material
MAIKEHIGH Indoor/Outdoor Play Tunnel and Play Tent
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MAIKEHIGH Indoor/Outdoor Play Tunnel and Play Tent Review
For a brightly coloured, imaginative adventure, we have the MAIKEHIGH Soft Play Tunnel and Play Tent.
This three in one play tunnel for kids is an affordable, portable, and vibrant piece of play equipment for your little one to explore through and play in for hours on end!
With so many exciting features, this baby tunnel includes tunnels, tents, and even an optional ball pit with a mini basketball hoop, though please note that ball pit balls must be purchased separately as they are not included in this set.
Join all sections together or have the option to have either on their own! Each section has a pop-up design with a steel wire interior, making them compact and easy to assemble and disassemble, just be wary when popping up that you have enough space!
Pros
- Great value for all that's included
- Portable for travel use and storage
- Bright colours and design for babies sensory learning
Cons
- Lightweight so not suitable for outdoor use if there is wind
What are the Benefits of Play Tunnels?
Play tunnels can provide many benefits to the health and wellbeing of children. They can help children improve their physical strength, mobility, concentration, imagination, and response to stress.
They are great for developing their gross motor skills, climbing through them helps them control the moving of their arms and legs. Crawling is a great exercise and develops strength and balance which is an important developmental skill as it is the beginning of fine motor skills, and it gives your child a strong core and bilateral coordination skills.
Children can crawl through the tunnels together making them good for social interaction and feeling part of a team. It will teach them to take turns and be patient, which will give them knowledge of proper social etiquette. It will also help with their confidence, as they overcome their fear of going through constrained narrow spaces.
All in all, play tunnels are fun! Tots can hide in them or peek out of them with other little ones for endless fun and games.
Are Play Tunnels Safe?
All play tunnels should be independently tested to meet the child safety standards. When you purchase one just check this has been done and check the age on the product so it is safe for the age of your child.
Many play tunnels may not really be suitable for young babies, especially those who cannot yet crawl, because they are designed for children to move and crawl through them.
When purchasing a play tunnel, check the material is safe and whether it’s suitable for indoors and outdoors. Some are only for indoor use.
